Painting & Drawing Studios

Radical, interdisciplinary thinking is at the heart of our Painting and Drawing program. You'll explore meaning and material in a supportive studio environment while finding your voice as an artist.

Media Gallery

A class critiques a large-scale black painting that includes a line drawing of an animal and text like “Find Out Now,” “Go,” and “You Won’t Believe.”
Various paintings dry in painting racks.
Wide shot of a classroom with students painting at easels.
People having a conversation in a painting studio
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🎨 About BFA Painting and Drawing

We have an expanded idea of painting and drawing, and, in the words of faculty Kim Anno, “anyone can make anything with any material they want.” Alongside technical skills, we emphasize strong concepts and critical engagement with the world around us, such as racial, social, political, and environmental issues. You’ll finish prepared for MFA programs and ready for a lifelong career as a practicing artist.

Expansive, exploratory practices

Our flexible curriculum makes space for students to find inspiration outside their major through electives like weaving and photography. With support from our interdisciplinary faculty, you’ll develop your own visual style and create work that actively engages with the world.

🛠️ Space for self-generated projects

Our light-filled painting and drawing studios are designed so ideas can flow freely. You can even take your work outside, like student Hanna Boyd, who transformed muslin canvas into a crystallized object. Additionally, juniors and seniors have their own dedicated studio spaces for developing their practices and completing their thesis projects.

2D Drawing Studios

In our new studios on Hubbell Street, students have space to experiment with charcoal, ink, and paint at large tables, easels, and palette tables. Extensive props, including animal and human skeletons, as well as numerous options for staging and lighting are available.

2D Painting Studios

These large, open classrooms include easels, an air-filtration system, large basin sinks, palette tables, racks for storage, halogen lights, and plenty of natural light. The community gathers here for tutorials, artist talks, and various student-led events, such as Figure Drawing Night.

Campus Map

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